Magnetically mounted wall thermostat

ABSTRACT

One aspect of this disclosure provides a thermostat that can be magnetically attached to the wall using one or more magnets that allow the thermostat to be rotated about the wall, once mounted, or easily removed from the wall altogether to operate as a remote unit. Other devices, systems, and methods are disclosed.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/068,799 filed Oct. 27, 2014, which is incorporated herein byreference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application is directed to thermostats for use with heating,ventilation, and air conditioning systems, and more particularly, to amagnetically-mounted wall thermostats, systems, and methods.

BACKGROUND

Wall mounted thermostats that are used to control heating ventilationair conditioning (HAVC) units have been used for decades. Theseconventional wall mounted thermostats are typically anchored to the wallby screws, bolts or by being snapped into an in-wall housing that isanchored to the wall, in an air conditioned area that is to becontrolled by the thermostat. Though the capabilities and accessibilityof thermostats in general have changed rapidly over the last few yearsdue to advancements in increased capabilities of micro controllers andsize reduction, the way in which thermostats are attached to the wallhas basically remained unchanged. This is probably due in part toadvancements in technology that allow users to remotely control theirthermostats through a computer, tablet, smart phone, or similar device.By using one or more of these various computerized smart devices, a usercan access the thermostat and make various changes to the thermostat'ssettings (e.g., changing the temperature setting, obtaining informationfrom the thermostat, etc.) without being in the same building as thethermostat. Thus, there is little motivation to change the way in whichthermostats are attached to a wall of the structure in which thethermostat is situated.

SUMMARY

One aspect of this disclosure provides a thermostat that can bemagnetically attached to the wall using one or more magnets that allowthe thermostat to be rotated about the wall, once mounted, or easilyremoved from the wall altogether to operate as a remote unit. Unlessotherwise indicated, as used throughout this document, “or” does notrequire mutual exclusivity. This unique configuration providesadvantages over more permanent conventional anchoring systems that havebeen used to anchor the thermostats to a wall. For example, the presenceof the magnets allows the thermostat to be rotated about the wall tochange the general orientation of the thermostat, which can be helpfulin physically tight locations, such as adjoining walls or adjacent doormoldings that would otherwise prevent the thermostat from being placedin that particular location. Additionally, the rotation allows the userto rotate the thermostat from a landscape orientation to a portraitorientation for aesthetic reasons, if desired. Further, this easyrelease design allows the thermostat to function as a remote sensor, sothat the user can take the thermostat into a different room, which wouldthen adjust the operation of the HVAC unit to attempt to change thetemperature of the room in which the remote thermostat and the user ispresently located, and thereby making the user more comfortable.

According to one illustrative embodiment, a magnetically mounted wallthermostat for use as part of a heating, ventilation, and airconditioning (HVAC) system includes a thermostat housing having a firstside and a second side. The thermostat housing includes a display on thefirst side of the thermostat housing to present visual indicia and toreceive user inputs and includes a back plate on the second side of thethermostat housing. The back plate is coupled to the display. Themagnetically mounted wall thermostat further includes a wall mountingbase having a first side and a second side. The first side of the wallmounting base is disposed adjacent to the second side of the thermostathousing when the magnetically mounted wall thermostat is in a mountedposition. The second side of the wall mounting base is disposed adjacentto a wall in a volume in which conditioned air is desired. Themagnetically mounted wall thermostat further includes a releasablemagnetic coupling having a first member and a second member. The firstmember is coupled to the second side of the thermostat housing and thesecond member is coupled to the first side of the wall mounting base. Atleast one of the first member and second member is a magnet and in manyembodiments they both are. The magnetically mounted wall thermostat mayalso include a signal coupling formed between the thermostat housing andthe wall mounting base.

According to another illustrative embodiment, a magnetically mountedwall thermostat for use as part of a heating, ventilation, and airconditioning system includes a thermostat housing having a first sideand a second side. The thermostat housing includes a display on thefirst side of the thermostat housing to present visual indicia and toreceive user inputs and a back plate on the second side of thethermostat housing. The back plate is coupled to the display. Themagnetically mounted wall thermostat further includes a wall mountingbase having a first side and a second side. The first side of the wallmounting base is disposed adjacent to the second side of the thermostathousing when the magnetically mounted wall thermostat is in a mountedposition and the second side of the wall mounting base disposed adjacentto a wall in a volume in which conditioned air is desired. Themagnetically mounted wall thermostat also includes a magnetic couplingmeans for coupling the thermostat housing and the wall mounting base toprovide for rotational movement and release with a parting force greaterthan a threshold force.

According to another illustrative embodiment, a thermostat for use as anaspect of a heating ventilation and air conditioning system includes abase unit that is coupled to a wall in a room of a building that is toreceive conditioned air. The base unit has a first side that faces awayfrom the wall and a second side that faces the wall. The thermostatfurther includes a display unit that includes a display for presentingvisual indicia to a user. The display unit has a first side and a secondside. The display is on the first side of the display unit and thesecond side of the display unit is adjacent to the first side of thebase unit when in a mounted position. The thermostat also includes areleasable and rotatable coupling formed between the base unit and thedisplay unit that allows the display unit to rotate relative to the baseunit and allows the display unit to be released from the base unit whena separation force is applied greater than a separation threshold. Thereleasable and rotatable coupling includes at least a first magnetattached to first side of the base unit and at least a second magnetattached to the second side of the display unit whereby the first magnetand the second magnet develop a magnetic force holding the base unit anddisplay unit proximate to one another when the base unit and displayunit are in the mounted position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a schematic, perspective view of a front of an illustrativeembodiment of a magnetically wall mounted thermostat with portions on abackside shown in broken lines;

FIG. 1B is a schematic, perspective view of a front of an illustrativeembodiment of a backplate of the magnetically wall mounted thermostat ofFIG. 1A and having a mounting area that is a feature that forms aprotrusion;

FIG. 1C is a schematic, perspective view of a front of an illustrativeembodiment of a backplate of the magnetically wall mounted thermostat ofFIG. 1A and having a mounting area that is a feature that forms arecess;

FIG. 1D is a schematic, perspective view of a front of an illustrativeembodiment of a wall base having a wall mounting area that is a featurethat protrudes;

FIG. 1E is a schematic, perspective view of a front of an illustrativeembodiment of a wall base having a wall mounting area that is a featureforming a recess;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate different orientations of an illustrativeembodiment of a magnetically wall mounted thermostat that can beachieved when mounted to the wall mounting base;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view in elevation, with a portion in crosssection, of an illustrative embodiment of a magnetically wall mountedthermostat when mounted to the wall mounting plate;

FIG. 4A is a schematic, plan view of a front of an illustrativeembodiment of a wall base having concentric circle conductors

FIG. 4B is a schematic front view of a thermostat housing havingconductive contact points for interfacing with the concentric circleconducts of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 is a schematic, exploded view of an illustrative embodiment of amounting base having various electronic circuitry contained therein;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of one illustrative embodiment of a backside of a magnetically wall mounted thermostat with its back panelremoved having various electronic circuitry contained therein; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic, exploded perspective view of an illustrativeembodiment of a magnetically wall mounted thermostat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A presents one illustrative embodiment of a magnetically wallmounted thermostat 100 of this disclosure that is for use as an aspectof a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Thethermostat 100 includes a screen or display 105 that is attached to aback plate 110, that together form a thermostat housing 112, or displayhousing. The thermostat housing 112 has a first side 113 (or front side)and a second side 114 (or back side). The display 105 is on the firstside 113 and the back plate 110 is on the second side 114. The display105 may be used to present visual indicia, such as temperature setpoint, actual temperature, mode of operation, etc. to users and toreceive user input from a touch screen, physical device associated withthe screen, or wireless signal.

The back plate 110 has a mounting area 115, in which one or more magnets120 are located. Both the mounting area 115 and the magnets 120 areshown, as dashed circles, indicating that they lie behind the screen105, i.e., on the second side 114 (back side) of the thermostat housing112. The mounting area 115 is the area of the black plate 110 that isutilized to mount the thermostat housing 112 to a wall plate, asdescribed below. In one illustrative embodiment, the mounting area 115,is a feature 125 that protrudes from the surface of the back plate 110,as generally shown in FIG. 1B, or in another illustrative embodiment, itis a recess 130 formed in the surface of the back plate 110, asgenerally shown in FIG. 1C. Other arrangements, such as flat, may beused. Though the mounting area 115 is shown to be circular, it should beunderstood that other geometric configurations may also be employed,such as a square, hexagonal, or octagonal shapes, provided, thegeometric configuration is able to rotate in a circular direction withrespect to a wall base 135, as generally illustrated in FIGS. 1D and 1E.

The magnets 120 may be used to couple the back plate 110 to otherportions of the thermostat housing 112 as described herein. In otherembodiments, glue, physical fasteners, press fit or interference fit orother technique may be used. The magnets 120 may also be used to attractand releasably hold a wall mounting base 135. The display 105 and backplate 110 form the thermostat housing 112 that may form an interiorportion with various electronic components therein as desired.

The thermostat housing 112 is releasably and moveably coupled to thewall mounting base 135 using a releaseable magnetic coupling 315 (FIG.3). In this way, the thermostat housing 112 may be twisted or rotatedvis-à-vis the wall mounting base 135 or force separating the thermostathousing 112 and wall mounting base 135 may be generated to allow them tobe displaced one from another. In one illustrative embodiment, thethermostat housing 112 is mountable to the wall base 135, as shown inFIGS. 1D, 1E, and 2A. The wall base 135 has a first side (front side)136 and a second side (back side) 137. The first side 136 of the wallmounting base 135 is disposed adjacent to the second side 114 of thethermostat housing 112 when the magnetically mounted wall thermostat 100is in a mounted position, i.e., in position on a wall, and the secondside 137 of the wall mounting base 135 is disposed adjacent to the wallin a room or volume in which conditioned air is desired.

The wall base 135 includes a wall mounting area 140 that corresponds tothe mounting area 115 of the back plate 110 of the thermostat 100 andmay also have one or more magnets 145 located within the mounting area.Depending on the configuration of the mounting area 115 of the backpanel 110, in one illustrative embodiment, the wall mounting area 140 isa feature 150 that protrudes from the surface of the wall base 135, orin another illustrative embodiment, the wall mounting area 140 is arecess 155. Thus, if the mounting area 115 of the back panel 110 is theprotruding feature 125, the wall mounting area 140 of the wall base 135will be the recess 155 into which the protruding feature 125 can bereceived when the thermostat 100 is attached to the wall base 135.Alternatively, if the mounting area 115 of the back panel 110 is therecess feature 130, the mounting area 140 of the wall base 135 will bethe protruding feature 150 that will be received within the recessfeature 130 when the thermostat 100 is attached to the wall base 135. Inthis way, the thermostat housing 112 and wall mounting base 135cooperate to be mated. In one illustrative embodiment, the wall mountingbase 135 may include an optional wall plate 160, which can be used tocover a larger opening in the wall if present.

A releasable magnetic coupling 315 (shown clearly in FIG. 3) may be usedto releasably and moveably couple the thermostat housing 112 to the wallmounting base 135. The releasable magnetic coupling 315 includes a firstmember 316 and a second member 318. The first member 316 may be a magnetor plurality of magnets and the second member 318 may be anothermagnetic with correct polarity to be attracted to the first member 316or could be a metal member or other magnetically attractive member.Alternatively, the first member 316 may be a metal member or othermagnetically attractive member and the second member 318 may be amagnet. Whether magnet and magnetically attractive member or magneticand magnet, the first member 316 and second member 318 cooperate to forma magnetic force therebetween when in close proximity as would be thecase in the mounted position. The first member 316 is coupled to thesecond side 114 of the thermostat housing 112 and the second member 318is coupled to the first side 136 of the wall mounting base 135. At leastone of the first member 316 and second member 318 comprises a magnet.Any magnetic material may be used for the magnets described herein.Non-limiting examples include rare-earth magnets or ferromagneticmaterials.

As noted above, either one or both of the thermostat 100 and the wallbase 135 include one or more magnets 120, 145, respectively, to form amagnetic coupling. In those embodiments where a single magnet is used,either one or the other of the thermostat or wall mounting base 135 willhave a magnet centrally located within either the mounting area 115 ormounting area 140. In such embodiments, whichever of the thermostat 100or wall mounting base 135 that does not include the single magnet, theother will have a metal plate or be constructed of a material, at leastwithin the mounting area, such that the opposing component will bemagnetically attracted to the magnet, causing the opposing component andthe magnet to be magnetically coupled together. At the same time, themagnetic coupling will allow relative rotational movement and under aseparation for force, release from each other. Many embodiments arepossible.

For example, in one embodiment, the wall base 135 may have two or four(or some other number) magnets 145 (or second member 318 (FIG. 3)) andthe thermostat housing 112 may have metal members, metal plates, oranother magnet (first member 316) that are positioned to interface withthe first magnets 145 to releasably and moveably hold the thermostathousing 112 to the wall base 135. The magnets 145 may be attached usingan adhesive or any technique to couple the magnet or magnets to thedesired location. In one embodiment, the wall base 135 may be formedwith tracks (or physical slots) to help locate the magnets duringmanufacture. With these various arrangements, the display 105, which ispart of the thermostat housing 112, and the wall base 135 may be moved(twisted, or rotated) relative to each other with any degrees ofdifference or may be pulled normal to the wall to release the thermostathousing 112 and wall base 135.

In an illustrative embodiment, both the thermostat 100 and the wallmounting base 135 each have a plurality of magnets (or alternativelymetal plates on one side) located within their respective mounting areas115 and 140 and placed near a perimeter, but within the mounting areas115 and 140. In one illustrative embodiment, within each mounting areas115 and 140, there are two magnets that are spaced 90° apart, such thatdisplay housing 112 can be readily rotated with respect to the wallmounting base 135 in a portrait (length of display housing 112 isoriented vertically) position, as seen in FIG. 2A or a landscape (lengthof display housing 112 is oriented horizontally) position, as seen inFIG. 2B. Other magnet positions and numbers may be used as well ascombinations of magnets and metal (or magnetically attractive) plates.In yet another illustrative embodiment, each of the thermostat 100 andthe wall mounting base 135 have two pairs of magnets that are spaced180° apart that also allow the above orientations to be achieved. Thisnot only allows for the display housing 112 to be placed in differentorientations for convenience or aesthetic purposes, but this uniquefeature also allows the display housing 112 to be easily removed fromthe wall mounting base 135, if desired. The greater number of magnetsthat are present, the greater holding power. Though four magnets areshown on each of the display housing 112 and the wall mounting base 135,more than four magnets can be used on each the display housing 112 andthe wall mounting base 135, if desired, thereby further increasing theholding power. Some embodiments may have fewer magnets.

FIG. 3 illustrates a partial sectional view of one illustrativeembodiment in which the mounting area 115 of the display housing 112 isa protruding base area 305 and the mounting area 140 of the wallmounting base 135 is a recessed area 310. As discussed above, thisconfiguration may be reversed, or in an alternative illustrativeembodiment, both mounting areas 115, 140 may be protruded regions thatcontact each other.

The thermostat housing 112 and the wall mounting base 135 include aquick or easy connect/disconnect interface 146, or signal coupler, thatprovide electrical connection between the display housing 112 and wallmounting base 135, for communication or power, while allowing for thetwo to be easily separated from one another when the user exertssufficient pulling force to separate the magnets from one another.Furthermore, the quick connect 146 may allow for a twisting orrotational motion between the wall base 135 and display 105. Forexample, in one illustrative embodiment, the connect/disconnectinterface may be a quick release electrical connector pair located onends of small cables that extend from each of the display housing 112and the wall mounting base 135.

Another example is a surface electrical contact system, as generallyshown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. In this illustrative embodiment, concentriccircles 405 of a conductive metal, such as copper, are located in thecenter of the mounting area 140 of the wall mounting base 135, whileconductive contact points 410 are arranged on the mounting area 115 ofthe back panel 110 of the display housing 112 to contact the surface ofthe concentric circles 405 in a way to provide electrical current orsignals to the display housing 112. The concentric circles 405 areconnected to a main electrical source by wires that run from theelectrical source to the wall mounting base 135. Those skilled in theart, given this disclosure, would understand how to connect the twodevices to provide electrical connection to run a HVAC system. Thisparticular illustrative embodiment provides a very convenient way inwhich the thermostat housing 112 of the thermostat 100 is electricallycoupled to the wall mounting base 135. If a user chooses to remove thethermostat housing 112 from the wall, the user merely exerts sufficientpulling force to overcome the attraction of the opposing magnets 120,145; that is, the user develops a separation force greater than aseparation threshold. Since electrical communication is achieved bysurface contact points, removal of the display housing 112 is quick andeasy for the user. Furthermore, in some other illustrative embodiments,the circuitry includes a safety removing controller that automaticallydisconnects the supply voltage from the surface contacts to preventelectric shock when the unit is removed from the wall mounting base 135.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of one illustrative embodiment ofthe wall mounting base 135. As seen in this embodiment, the wallmounting base 135 comprises a front panel 505, a back panel 510attachable to the front panel 505, which form a housing, and anelectronic circuit board 515 located between the front and back panels505, 510 and within the housing. In one illustrative embodiment, theelectronic circuit board 515 include various electronic components andcircuitry 520, such as a microprocessor 525, controller 530, memory 535,Wi-Fi communication circuitry 540, including an antenna, or atemperature sensor 545, all of which are electrically coupled togetherin a functional manner as schematically shown. These various components520 are used to drive or provide data to the display 105 (FIG. 1) anddisplay various types of information on the display 105 (FIG. 1) andreceive input requests or commands from the user directly or through aremote interface, such as a smartphone, computer, tablet or othersimilar types of smart devices. As explained below, in some embodiments,at least a portion of these components are located within the displayhousing 112, so that the thermostat's functions can either be achievedoptionally through either the wall mounting base 135 or the displayhousing 112.

FIG. 6 presents an illustrative embodiment of electronic circuitry thatmay be located within the thermostat housing 112. This embodiment maycomprise one or more of a microprocessor 605, a power supply 610,communications circuit 615, an antenna 620, memory 625, which may beseparate from or form a part of the microprocessor 605, an externalinterface port 630, as such a USB port, a temperature sensor 635, avideo camera 640, and an audio circuit and speaker 645, all of which areelectrically coupled in a functional manner, as generally illustrated.It should be understood that FIG. 6 is merely a schematic diagram of oneembodiment that shows the various optional components and that the oneor more components may be packaged together in a manner known to thoseskilled in the art. Further, the listed components are not exhaustiveand other components may also be included to provide additional utilityto the thermostat 100 or the thermostat housing 112. As one skilled inthe art will appreciate, some components may be omitted and othersadded.

When the display housing 112 includes one or more of the above-listedcomponents, the thermostat may have increased utility to the user. Forexample, when the display housing 112 is removed from the wall mountingbase 135 and the temperature sensor 635 is present, the display housing112 functions as a remote thermostat that can be carried by the userfrom room to room. So, if the user enters a room, that due to itsdistant location from the wall mounting base 135, is warmer than the airat the wall mounting base 135, the temperature sensor 635 will sense theincrease temperature and send a command to the HVAC unit to provideadditional cooling until the temperature sensor 635 is cooled to theset, thereby making the user more comfortable at the user's location. Insuch embodiments, the temperature sensor's 635 is communicated from thethermostat housing 112 by way of the communications circuit 615 andantenna 620, and the power for the continued operation of the thermostathousing 112, when separated from the main power supply at the wallmounting base 135, is provided by the power supply 610, which in oneillustrative embodiment is a rechargeable battery. The temperaturesensor's 635 signal may be communicated to the wall mounting base 135,which in turn, transmits the signal to the HVAC controller, or thetemperature sensor's 635 signal may be transmitted directly to the HVACcontroller by Wi-Fi. The microprocessor 605 and the memory 625 provideadequate processing power and programming to control the operation ofthe various components and may work in conjunction with or separate fromthe circuitry of the wall mounting base 135.

In addition to the thermostat housing 112 receiving programminginstructions and other data wirelessly, in one illustrative embodiment,it receives data via the external interface port 630. Either of thesedata links allows various types of data to be transmitted to andelectronically stored in the memory of the thermostat housing 112,including personalized photographs or videos. Thus, with the easyremoval function of the thermostat housing 112 from the wall mountingbase 135, the display housing 112 can also function as an electronicpicture frame that can either scroll various pictures or display astatic picture, or play videos as part of the visual indicia on thedisplay. With the electronic circuitry that can be included within thedevice, the display housing 112 can function similarly to that of asmart tablet, including even browsing the internet with a Wi-Ficonnection.

In another illustrative embodiment, the thermostat housing 112 alsoincludes the video camera 640 that together with the Wi-Fi capabilitycan allow the user to communicate with others over the internet. Forexample, if the user is experiencing HVAC operation problems, the usercan use the video camera to speak face-to-face with a servicerepresentative. Additionally, the video camera may operate as a facialrecognition sensor so the HVAC will operate in a certain programmed orprescribed manner when a particular user is sensed by the video camera.

In yet another illustrative embodiment, the thermostat housing 112 alsoincludes the audio circuit and speaker 645 that allow the user to inputaudible instructions into the display housing 112 by way of voicecommands and receive voice inquiries or other statements from thedisplay housing 112. The thermostat 100 may also interface withhousehold integration control devices.

In embodiments presented herein, the display 105 and the wall mountingbase 135 allow rotation, or twisting, while remaining in their givenplanes, whereby the thermostat display may assume a horizontal orvertical position without changing the physical mounting bracket on thewall. In addition, the display 105 and wall mounting base 135 may have aseparating force applied, e.g., a force pulling the display 105 awayfrom the wall, to separate the two. In this case, the display 105 may becarried by a user to different locations and used a remote control. Insome embodiments, the temperature sensor or humidity sensor may be incoupled to the wall mounting base 135 or the display 105. In stillanother embodiment, duplicate temperature or humidity sensors may beincluded so that the display 105 and wall mounting base 135 both have atemperature sensor or humidity sensor associated therewith. When thesensors remain on the wall, it may provide a more stable measurementenvironment. Communication between the sensors and the display may be bya wireless interface.

When the display 105 is proximate the wall mounting base 135, thedisplay 105 may receive power by wireless charging, e.g., inductivecharging or by physical contacts.

Referring now primarily to FIG. 7, which is an exploded, perspectiveview, another illustrative embodiment of a magnetically mounted wallthermostat 700 for use as part of a heating, ventilation, and airconditioning system is presented. The magnetically mounted wallthermostat 700 includes a thermostat housing 702 having a display 704and a back plate 706. The thermostat housing 702 has a first side 708and a second side 710. The display 704 is operational to present visualindicia on the first side 708, which is also the first side of thedisplay 704, and the display 704 also functions to receive user controlinputs, such as change of temperature. Various electronics or electricalcomponents 714 are included in an interior portion of the thermostathousing 702.

The display 704 has a first side 716 and a second side 718. The backplate 706 has a first side 720 and a second side 722. The second side718 of the display 704 may be coupled to the first side 720 of the backplate 706 using magnets analogous to the discussion in connection withFIGS. 1B and 1C above or may be press fit, glued, or held by any othercoupling technique to form the thermostat housing 702. A magnetic holder724 may be attached to the second side 722 of the back plate 706. Themagnetic holder 724 includes at least one magnet that is used to attracta magnetic member 726, such a magnetic ring 728. The magnetic holder 724also may include one or more coils (not explicitly shown) for wirelesscharging as will be described further below.

The magnetically mounted wall thermostat 700 also includes a wallmounting base 730. The wall mounting base 730 includes the magneticmember 726, various electronics or electrical components 732, and a wallattachment member 734, or wall plate. The wall attachment member 734 mayhouse various electronics or electrical components. The wall mountingbase 730 has a first side 736 and a second side 738. The magnetic member726 may have a feature 740 that is a protrusion portion 742 that issized and configured to mate with a recess 744 formed as an aspect ofthe magnetic holder 724 of the thermostat housing 702. In anotherembodiment, the protrusion may be on the thermostat housing 702 and therecess on the magnetic member 726. The magnetic member 726 may includeat least one magnet for attracting the magnetic holder 724 when adjacentin the mounting position or the magnetic holder 724 may have at leastone magnet to attract the magnetic member 726 or both may have at leastone magnet. The magnetic member 726 may also include one or more coils(not explicitly shown). The one or more coils of the magnetic member 726and one or more coils of the magnetic holder 724 may be excited tocharge an electrical storage device associated with the display 704.

In one embodiment, a perimeter ring 746 is sized and configured to matewithin a recess 749 formed within a portion of the wall attachmentmember 734. The magnetic member 726 may be held to the wall attachmentmember 734 by mechanical fasteners, glue, snap fit, or attachmenttechniques. The various electronics 732 may be disposed within aninterior created using the magnetic member 726 and wall attachmentmember 734.

In this illustrative embodiment, a releasable magnetic coupling having afirst member 748 and a second member 750 is used to releaseably andmoveably couple the thermostat housing 702 to the wall mounting base730. In this particular example, the first member 748 comprises the atleast one magnet of the magnetic holder 724, and the second member 750comprises the magnetic member 726. The first member 748 and secondmember 750 allow relative movement against each other, i.e., rotation,and when a separating force is generated greater than a separationthreshold the first member 748 and second member 750 separate andthereby allow the thermostat housing 702 to move away from the wallmounting base 730.

A signal coupling may be used to communicate signals between thethermostat housing 702 and the wall mounting base 730. The signalcoupling may be any device or technique for sending and receivingsignals between the thermostat housing 702 and the wall mounting base730. In one embodiment, the signal coupling comprises a firsttransmitter and receiver associated or within the thermostat housing 702and a second transmitter and receiver associated or in the wall mountingbase 730. In another illustrative embodiment, the signal couplingincludes placing concentric circle contacts (see 405 in FIG. 4A) on thewall mounting base 730 or thermostat housing 702 and placing conductivecontact points (see 410 in FIG. 4B) on the other—either thermostathousing 702 or wall mounting base 730. Still other techniques may beused to relay signals between the thermostat housing 702 and the wallmounting base 730 while allowing rotation relative to each other anddisconnect when the thermostat housing 702 and the wall mounting base730 are put into a separated position, i.e., not the mounted position.

According to an illustrative embodiment, a thermostat for use as anaspect of a heating ventilation and air conditioning system includes abase unit that is coupled to a wall in a room of a building that is toreceive conditioned air, the base unit has a first side that faces awayfrom the wall and a second side that faces the wall; a display unit thatincludes a display for presenting visual indicia to a user, the displayunit has a first side and a second side, the display is on the firstside of the display unit and the second side of the display unit isadjacent to the first side of the base unit when in a mounted position;and a releasable and rotatable coupling formed between the base unit andthe display unit that allows the display unit to rotate relative to thebase unit and allows the display unit to be released from the base unitwhen a separation force is applied greater than a separation threshold,the releasable and rotatable coupling comprises at least a first magnetattached to first side of the base unit and at least a second magnetattached to the second side of the display unit whereby the first magnetand the second magnet develop a magnetic force holding the base unit anddisplay unit proximate to one another when the base unit and displayunit are in the mounted position.

The thermostat of the preceding paragraph may further include anelectrical connector, wherein the electrical connector includes aplurality of concentric circle contacts and a plurality of contactmembers, wherein the plurality of contact members are spaced tocoordinate with the concentric circle contacts when in the thermostat isin the mounted position.

As used herein, the term “magnetic coupling means” means the arrangementusing magnets with magnets or with magnetically-attractive material onthe thermostat housing and wall mounting base as shown in FIGS. 1-5 and7. It also includes all like methods of holding the elements togetherusing a magnetic force.

As used herein, the term “coupled” includes coupling via a separateobject and includes direct coupling. The term “coupled” also encompassestwo or more components that are continuous with one another by virtue ofeach of the components being formed from the same piece of material orassociated one to another by a magnetic field.

The present invention and its advantages have been disclosed in thecontext of certain illustrative, non-limiting embodiments. Theillustrative descriptions above are not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Moreover, it shouldbe understood that various changes, substitutions, permutations, andalterations can be made without departing from the scope of theinvention as defined by the appended claims. It will be appreciated thatany feature that is described in a connection to any one embodiment mayalso be applicable to any other embodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. A magnetically mounted wall thermostat for use aspart of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, themagnetically mounted wall thermostat comprising: a thermostat housinghaving a first side and a second side, wherein the thermostat housingcomprises a display on the first side of the thermostat housing topresent visual indicia and to receive user inputs and a back plate onthe second side of the thermostat housing, wherein the back plate iscoupled to the display; a wall mounting base having a first side and asecond side, the first side of the wall mounting base disposed adjacentto the second side of the thermostat housing when the magneticallymounted wall thermostat is in a mounted position and the second side ofthe wall mounting base disposed adjacent to a wall in a volume in whichconditioned air is desired; and a releasable magnetic couplingassociated with the thermostat housing and wall mounting base forreleaseably and rotatably coupling the thermostat housing and wallmounting base, the releasable magnetic coupling having a first memberand a second member, wherein the first member is coupled to the secondside of the thermostat housing and the second member is coupled to thefirst side of the wall mounting base, and wherein at least one of thefirst member and second member comprises a magnet.
 2. The magneticallymounted wall thermostat of claim 1, further comprising a signal couplingformed between the thermostat housing and the wall mounting base.
 3. Themagnetically mounted wall thermostat of claim 1, further comprising asignal coupling formed between the thermostat and the wall mountingbase, wherein the signal coupling comprises concentric circle contactsformed on a first side of the wall mounting base and conductive contactpoints on a second side of the thermostat housing.
 4. The magneticallymounted wall thermostat of claim 1, further comprising a signal couplingformed between the thermostat and the wall mounting base, wherein thesignal coupling comprises a first wireless transmitter and receivercoupled to the thermostat housing and a second wireless transmitter andreceiver coupled to the wall mounting base.
 5. The magnetically mountedwall thermostat of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of magnetsfor coupling the back plate to the display.
 6. The magnetically mountedwall thermostat of claim 1, the first member of the releasable magneticcoupling comprises at least a first magnet attached to the second sideof the thermostat housing and the second member comprises at least asecond magnet coupled to the first side of the wall mounting base. 7.The magnetically mounted wall thermostat of claim 1, the first member ofthe releasable magnetic coupling comprises a magnetically-attractivematerial attached to the second side of the thermostat housing and thesecond member comprises a magnet coupled to the first side of the wallmounting base.
 8. The magnetically mounted wall thermostat of claim 1,the first member of the releasable magnetic coupling comprises a magnetattached to the second side of the thermostat housing and the secondmember comprises a magnetically-attractive material coupled to the firstside of the wall mounting base.
 9. The magnetically mounted wallthermostat of claim 1, wherein the first member of the releasablemagnetic coupling comprises a magnetic holder coupled to the second sideof the thermostat housing and the second member comprises a magneticring coupled to the wall mounting base and sized and configured tocooperate with the magnetic holder to allow relative rotationalmovement.
 10. The magnetically mounted wall thermostat of claim 9,wherein the magnetic holder comprises a first coil, and the magneticring comprises a second coil, and wherein, when the magnetically mountedwall thermostat is in the mounted position, the first coil and secondcoil may be magnetically excited to provide electrical energy to thethermostat housing to charge an electrical storage device within thethermostat housing.
 11. The magnetically mounted wall thermostat ofclaim 1, wherein the first member of the releasable magnetic couplingcomprises a recessed, circular magnetic holder coupled to the secondside of the thermostat housing and the second member comprises aprojecting magnetic ring coupled to the wall mounting base and sized andconfigured to mate with the recessed, circular magnetic holder.
 12. Themagnetically mounted wall thermostat of claim 1, comprising atemperature sensor attached to the wall mounting base.
 13. Themagnetically mounted wall thermostat of claim 1, comprising atemperature sensor attached to the thermostat housing.
 14. Themagnetically mounted wall thermostat of claim 1, wherein a portion ofthe second side of the thermostat housing comprises a first mountingarea and a portion of the first side of the wall mounting base comprisesa second mounting area, and wherein two magnets are attached to thefirst mounting area with 90 degrees of separation relative to a centerpoint and two magnets are attached to the second mounting area.
 15. Themagnetically mounted wall thermostat of claim 1, wherein the thermostathousing is configured to move at least 90 degrees between a horizontalposition and a vertical position.
 16. A magnetically mounted wallthermostat for use as part of a heating, ventilation, and airconditioning system, the magnetically mounted wall thermostatcomprising: a thermostat housing having a first side and a second side,wherein the thermostat housing comprises a display on the first side ofthe thermostat housing to present visual indicia and to receive userinputs and a back plate on the second side of the thermostat housing,wherein the back plate is coupled to the display; a wall mounting basehaving a first side and a second side, the first side of the wallmounting base disposed adjacent to the second side of the thermostathousing when the magnetically mounted wall thermostat is in a mountedposition and the second side of the wall mounting base disposed adjacentto a wall in a volume in which conditioned air is desired; and amagnetic coupling means for coupling the thermostat housing and the wallmounting base to provide for rotational movement and release with aparting force greater than a threshold force.
 17. The magneticallymounted wall thermostat of claim 16, further comprising a signalcoupling means for providing signal communication between the thermostathousing and the wall mounting base.
 18. The magnetically mounted wallthermostat of claim 16, further comprising a quick connect electricallycoupling the thermostat housing and wall mounting base.
 19. A thermostatfor use as an aspect of a heating ventilation and air conditioningsystem, the thermostat comprising: a base unit that is coupled to a wallin a room of a building that is to receive conditioned air, the baseunit has a first side that faces away from the wall and a second sidethat faces the wall; a display unit that includes a display forpresenting visual indicia to a user, the display unit has a first sideand a second side, the display is on the first side of the display unitand the second side of the display unit is adjacent to the first side ofthe base unit when in a mounted position; and a releasable and rotatablecoupling formed between the base unit and the display unit that allowsthe display unit to rotate relative to the base unit and allows thedisplay unit to be released from the base unit when a separation forceis applied greater than a separation threshold, the releasable androtatable coupling comprises at least a first magnet attached to firstside of the base unit and at least a second magnet attached to thesecond side of the display unit whereby the first magnet and the secondmagnet develop a magnetic force holding the base unit and display unitproximate to one another when the base unit and display unit are in themounted position.
 20. The thermostat of claim 1, further comprising anelectrical connector, wherein the electrical connector comprises aplurality of concentric circle contacts and a plurality of contactmembers, wherein the plurality of contact members are spaced tocoordinate with the concentric circle contacts when in the thermostat isin the mounted position.